Ferrari Challenge Europe – Race-2 in Imola: two wins, one to Grossman and one to Prinoth
Posted: 20.09.2015
Source: Ferrari
Imola, 20 September – The second day of the fifth event of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola provided confirmations, as Bjorn Grossmann won in Trofeo Pirelli and Erich Prinoth did the same in Coppa Shell, thus duplicating the results of Race-1. But there was no lack of excitement.
Trofeo Pirelli. A memorable weekend for Bjorn Grossmann who finished Race-2 in Imola as he did Race-1: he started from the pole and crossed the finish line unchallenged. A trio of Italian drivers finished behind him: David Gostner (Ineco – MP Racing), Max Blancardi (Octane 126), and Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte (Autoropa) whose great performance more than made up for a decidedly unlucky weekend. In fact, “Babalus”was unable to record a time during qualification because of technical problems and started from the pit lane. He immediately began overtaking one car after another and, after 15 laps, he engaged in a spectacular duel with the Russian Nikita Zlobin (AF Corse), whom he was able to pass with a perfect Tosa-like manoeuvre in the 15th lap, with just over five minutes left in the race. Therefore, Grossman continues to lead the overall standings with 183 points, followed by “Babalus” with 143, and Merckx with 111.
Am Class. Race-2 of Trofeo Pirelli Am provided excitement until the very end. The Swede Martin Nelson (Autoropa) managed to win, but, until the finish line, he had to fend off the German Andreas Segler (StileF Squadra Corse) who stayed in close pursuit, even too close, as he rear-ended Nelson on the final stretch without, however, overtaking him. Third place went to the Italian Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa) and fourth to Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa/Pellin), who remains in second position in the overall standings and counts on the Valencia and Mugello events to catch up with Nelson at the top.
Coppa Shell. An unexpected turn of events reshuffled the cards before the start of Race-2 of Coppa Shell. Belgian driver Jacques Duyver, of Kessel Racing, who had recorded the best qualification time, was moved back to last place after a measurement of the airfoil of his 458 Challenge Evo. Gautam Singhania (Kessel) thus took he pole position, sharing first raw with Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP Racing), who took advantage of a slip of the Indian driver on the sixth lap and passed him in spectacular fashion at curve 15 ending on the grass with all four wheels. Another lively battle, for third place, developed behind Prinoth and Singhania: in the end, the Dutch “shark” Fons Scheltema (Kessel) managed to overcome his Canadian teammate Rick Lovat. In the standing, Duyver, author of a great comeback that took him from the very rear to 8th place, retains the lead with 140 points, but Prinoth with 137 points and Singhania with 113 are now much closer.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Race-1 Imola: Grossman, Vezzoni and Prinoth win
Posted: 19.09.2015
Source: Ferrari
Imola, 19 September – First day for the fifth chapter of Ferrari Challenge Europe at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack in Imola, Bjorn Grossman and Alessandro Vezzoni defend their positions as leaders in the Pirelli Trophy and AM Class, respectively. Erich Prinoth triumphs in the Coppa Shell and moves closer to first place.
Trofeo Pirelli. Bjorn Grossman saw an opportunity to widen the gap and didn’t let it slip by. The German with team Octane 126 started in pole position and maintained the lead in Race 1 of the Pirelli Trophy all the way to the finish line, increasing the gap between him and Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte (Autoropa) who, though he started the race in second place, only crossed the finish line in 12th place (7th in the ranking). A spectacular challenge pitted Italy’s David Gostner (Ineco – MP Racing) against Belgium’s Florian Merckx (Baron Service) as they vied for second place. The two went head to head for most of the race, with Gostner defending his advantage until the last lap when a spectacular manoeuvre by Merckx gave him the upper hand just a few curves from the finish line. By coming in second Merckx has shortened the gap between him and Babalus in the general ranking. Russia’s Nikita Zlobin (AF Corse) also had a fantastic race, starting last and finishing the race in fourth place. Grossman is first in the general ranking with 161 points followed by “Babalus”, 133, and Merckx, 105.
Am Class. Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa/Pellin) dominated the Pirelli Am race closing in on Sweden’s Martin Nelson (Autoropa), who is the leader in the general ranking. The fight for second place was hard fought in this class as well, Germany’s Andreas Segler (StileF Squadra Corse) stayed on Nelson’s heel until he messed up in the twelfth lap “veering” and ending the race in third place. Segler remains in third place in the general ranking as well.
Coppa Shell. Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP Racing), who is second in the general ranking, dominated Race 1 in the Coppa Shell and narrowed the gap between him and first place. Italy’s driver, and the leader in the Gentlemen’s Cup, started in pole position and maintained the lead from the first to the last lap. Gautam Singhania (Kessel) followed close behind. The fifty-year-old driver from India handled the race superbly and came in second despite having a problem with the body of his 458 Challenge EVO near the end of the race. Belgium’s driver, and the leader in the general ranking, Jacques Duyver (Kessel Racing) came in third followed by Austria’s Gerald Grohmann (Ferrari Bucharest), Sweden’s Tommy Lindroth (Baron Service) and Italy’s Thomas Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing). Duyver remains first in the general ranking with 137 points followed by Prinoth, 117, and Singhania 96. Next round tomorrow: Race-2 for the Pirelli Trophy at 1.55 pm and Race-2 for Coppa Shell at 3.55 pm.
To Imola with “Babalus”
Posted: 18.09.2015
Source: Ferrari
Imola, 18 Sept – Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte tells us about the Imola circuit, a wonderful course where Ferrari has often taken centre stage. It contains some of the most iconic curves in motorsport such as the Tosa, the Rivazza and the Piratella and it is here that drivers will seek precious championship points in this weekend’s two Ferrari Challenge Europe’s races. “Babalus” is one of the season’s leading drivers, involved in a fantastic tussle with Bjorn Grossmann. Autoropa team’s 458 Challenge EVO driver is 10 points behind the Octane 126 driver, with the head to head promising to continue to the end of the final round of the championship from Nov. 5 to 8 at Mugello during the Ferrari World Finals.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Pirelli Trophy resumes at Imola with a number of head to heads
Posted: 17.09.2015
Source: Ferrari
Imola, 17 Sept – The Ferrari Challenge Europe resumes this weekend at the beautiful “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” autodrome in Imola, the scene of so many Formula 1 victories for the Prancing Horse. The drivers and the 458 Challenge EVOs are ready to put on a show round the 4.9 km Santerno circuit, with the titles still wide open. Let’s take a look at the situation in both Pirelli classes.
Ten points. In the Pirelli Trophy Bjorn Grossmann and Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte have been locked in a head to head battle all season. The Octane 126 team driver has won four races, with three other podium finishes and only one blank, in the second race at Monza. “Babalus” has won one fewer, with a couple of fifth places leaving him 10 points behind, 138 to 128. The Autoropa team driver won the first race at the Paul Ricard, but the next day his rival took the second one. So the battle continues, with Belgium’s Florian Merckx (Baron Service) in third on 89 points, ready to pounce in the event of a double withdrawal. Then comes David Gostner (Ineco MP Racing) in fourth on 76.
Pirelli Am. The Pirelli Am class championship is also very open, with a fight between Martin Nelson, a teammate of “Babalus”, Italy’s Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa Pellin Racing) and Germany’s Andreas Segler. Nelson arrived at the Paul Ricard top of the standings, but a win for Vezzoni on Saturday catapulted him into the lead. However, the Swedish Autoropa team driver fought back on Sunday to give himself an eight-point advantage over his rival.Germany’s Andreas Segler of StileF Squadra Corse team is in third on 91 points. The Imola race, the most exciting moments of which we can see in the video below, will be followed by the Valencia round and then the World Finals at Mugello from 5 to 8 November. Schedule: Saturday – Race 1 of the Pirelli Trophy at 2.25 pm; Shell Cup at 4.25 pm; Sunday – Race 2 of the Pirelli at 1.55 pm; Shell Cup at 3.55 pm.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Prinoth and Singhania at Imola to rein in Duyver
Posted: 16.09.2015
Source: Ferrari
Imola, 16 Sept – A 30-point lead over your nearest rival is substantial, but the championship is certainly not yet wrapped up in a series packed with top drivers all competing in the 458 Challenge EVO. Belgium’s Jacques Duyver of Kessel Racing team is in the lead, but his nearest pursuers have no intention of throwing in the towel, and after all, with 45 points up for grabs every weekend they would be crazy to do so.
Pursuers. Duyver has 124 points in the standings with four wins, while his nearest rival is Italy’s Erich Prinoth (Ineco MP Racing), two-time winner in 2015, 94 lengths behind. The big surprise of the season, India’s Gautam Singhania (Kessel Racing) is in third, with four podiums and 80 points in the standings despite persistent bad luck.
Gentlemen’s Cup. Prinoth is also in the running for the Gentlemen’s Cup, the over 55s championship, which he leads on 94 points. The Netherlands’ Fons Scheltema (Kessel Racing) is in second on 60 points, followed by Thomas Gostner in third on 21. Schedule: Saturday – Race 1 Pirelli Trophy at 2.25 pm; Shell Cup at 4.25 pm; Sunday – Race 2 Pirelli Trophy at 1:55 pm; Shell Cup at 3:55 pm. Ahead of the thrill of Imola, this video shows some exciting moments from the race.